Check out Mini-Ballbug for simple mobiles or Ballbug Mobile for modern smartphones.
3:45 PM ET, September 18, 2017

Ballbug

 Top News: 
USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Indians hold top spot; Diamondbacks remain strong  —  The 22-game winning streak may be over.  —  But the Cleveland Indians captured their second straight AL Central title and claimed No. 1 spot in USA TODAY Sports' baseball power rankings for the second consecutive week.
RELATED:
ESPN:
From wild-card chases to MVP races: Your guide to season's final two weeks  —  Two weeks left in the regular season.  Stay focused.  You're not going to win your fantasy football league anyway.  Here's a quick rundown on the important races to follow:  —  Division races still up for grabs
David PurdumESPN / ESPN:
After 22-game winning streak, Indians now World Series favorite  —  The Cleveland Indians emerged from their 22-game winning streak as the favorites to win the World Series.  —  With two weeks left in the regular season, the Indians are World Series favorites at 9-4 at the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas.
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
MLB series to watch: Twins-Yankees, Brewers-Cubs clashes loom large as races stay hot  —  The final two weeks of September figured to be crucial for teams like the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs in their attempts to solidify division leads.  The Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers …
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Let's be real: Rangers needed a sweep to keep wild card hopes alive  —  ANAHEIM  —  The Texas Rangers salvaged the finale of their three-game series Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels but there's no salvaging the season.  —  The Rangers needed a sweep (or, at the very least …
Tom Withers / MLB on Yahoo! Sports:
Indians overcome injuries to win Central, eye Series title
Discussion: Let's Go Tribe
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:   Rangers reaction: Give it to the Astros, they earned it
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
The Jason Heyward dilemma: Big contract, big defense, struggling offense  —  Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward reacts after the 4-3 win over the Cardinals, which completed a three-game sweep, on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017.  (Paul Skrbina/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Sarah Trotto / UPI:
Chicago Cubs pull off sweep of St. Louis Cardinals  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs stayed on a roll and improved their playoff picture.  But not before a last-minute scare.  —  With the tying run on first base, the St. Louis Cardinals' Dexter Fowler hit a long drive to center field.
Discussion: Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mark Gonzales / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Broglio discusses cancer, Cubs' title and, of course, the Brock trade  —  Ernie Broglio (of Lou Brock trade) on cancer, Cubs, Cardinals and infamy  —  “You're not going to believe this,” Ernie Broglio tells a visitor in the living room of his modest home in San Jose, Calif. “I had breast cancer.
Paul Sullivan / The Charlotte Observer:   Unsung Brian Duensing leads way as Cubs bullpen shines in sweep of Cardinals
UPI:   Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras' suspension reduced to one game
Chicago Tribune:   Cubs 4, Cardinals 3  —  Photos from the Cubs-Cardinals game …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Cubs complete sweep of Cardinals, send rivals reeling from division race
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Noah Syndergaard one step closer to Mets return after throwing simulated game  —  MIAMI — Noah Syndergaard threw a simulated game at Marlins Park on Monday.  The righthander and the Mets hope it is the last step before he can come off the disabled list and pitch in a game this weekend at Citi Field.
RELATED:
Doug Mittler / ESPN:   Rumor Central: Could Bob Geren be the next Mets manager?
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:   Gsellman produces best outing to lead Mets to 5-1 win over the Braves
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Robert Gsellman pitches well Sunday, but his season-long inconsistency just leads to more questions for the Mets
Associated Press:
Gsellman leads Mets over Braves 5-1, eliminates Atlanta
David Driver / UPI:
Ryan Zimmerman's 2 HRs propel Washington Nationals past Los Angeles Dodgers  —  WASHINGTON — Ryan Zimmerman laughed and jerked his head around to his right late Sunday night after he was asked what he took away from a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that ended minutes earlier.
Discussion: Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Strasburg ends scoreless streak, but Nats beat Dodgers 7-1  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg ended his club-record scoreless streak at 35 innings, but two home runs from Ryan Zimmerman helped the All-Star win his fourth consecutive start as the Washington Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 on Sunday night.
Discussion: Federal Baseball
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:   Stephen Strasburg beats L.A. Dodgers, continues dominant run as October nears
Michael Kelly / Associated Press:
Holland drops ball on Padres' squeeze, Rockies lose 4-3  —  DENVER  —  Rockies closer Greg Holland stretched as far as he could, getting his glove on Matt Szczur as the Padres baserunner dove across the plate.  —  Holland got there for the tag.  Just not with the baseball.
Discussion: Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Arizona Republic:
Monday's game  —  Diamondbacks at Padres  —  Where: Petco Park, San Diego.
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Arizona Republic:
Martinez's homer cuts into Giants' lead
Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune:
Series preview: Cubs at Rays  —  Chicago Tribune  —  All games on WSCR-AM 670.  —  Season series: Tied 1-1.  —  LH Mike Montgomery (6-8, 3.57) vs. RH Chris Archer (9-10, 4.06)  —  LH Jon Lester (11-7, 4.30) vs. LH Blake Snell (3-6, 4.25)  —  Storylines: The Rays' playoff hopes are fading …
Doug Mittler / ESPN:
Rumor Central: Will the Phillies shop Cesar Hernandez?  —  Second baseman Cesar Hernandez will likely be a key figure in the Philadelphia Phillies' offseason, either as a building block for 2018 or as a valuable trade chip, suggests Ryan Lawrence of PhillyVoice.com.
RELATED:
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Maikel Franco trying to salvage season with strong September
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Ausmus won't second-guess subbing Castellanos in RF in Boyd's no-hit try  —  With two outs in the ninth, Boyd gave up a double to end the no-hit bid; Castellanos, the rightfielder at the time, is getting on-the-job training  —  Brad Ausmus knew what the first question was going to be.
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:   Matt Boyd's masterpiece falls 1 out shy of history in Tigers' 12-0 win
Associated Press:
Detroit's Boyd falls an out short of no-hitter
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
ESPN:
Power Rankings: As Cubs take charge, their rivals regroup  —  After 24 weeks, the regular season is winding down, and we're seeing the rankings approach their final shape.  The Indians saw their win streak snapped at 22 just before they clinched an AL Central title, and they were the easy, unanimous choice for No. 1 among our voters.
ESPN:
Nationals' Bryce Harper working to hone swing; return date uncertain  —  WASHINGTON - Bryce Harper is one step closer to returning.  —  Prior to the Nationals' Sunday night game against the Dodgers, Harper took batting practice on the field for the first time since injuring his knee over a month ago.
RELATED:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:   Bryce Harper puts on batting practice show, but remains cautious on playoff return
 
 Archived Page Info: 
This is a snapshot of Ballbug at 3:45 PM ET, September 18, 2017.

View the current page or another snapshot:


 
 See Also: 
Ballbug: site main
Ballbug River: reverse chronological Ballbug
Ballbug Mobile: for phones
Ballbug Leaderboard: Ballbug's top sources
 
 Subscribe: 
Ballbug RSS feed
 
 
 More News: 
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
2017 MLB season might not feature a 20-win pitcher for first time in nearly 10 years
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees already positioning rotation for wild-card showdown
Discussion: Elite Sports NY
Associated Press:
Gallo blast helps Rangers to win over Angels
Associated Press:
Price returns in Boston's 3-2 loss to the Rays
Discussion: Over the Monster
 Earlier Picks: 
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Astros clinch first division title since 2001 as Justin Verlander dominates
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
UPI:
Robert Stephenson powers Cincinnati Reds past Pittsburgh Pirates
Discussion: MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Sonny Gray struggles as Yankees' rally off Orioles bullpen falls short in 6-4 loss
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley and Camden Chat
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Ryan Gajewski / The Hollywood Reporter:
Melissa Barrera on Getting Fired From ‘Scream’ and the Controversy That Followed

New York Times:
How to Be Real With Your Kids  —  Actor Penn Badgley reads the essay “Watching Them Watching Me” …

Daily Star:
Scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, tragically died as police cordon area

 
Sister Sites:

Techmeme
 Top news and commentary for technology's leaders, from all around the web
Mediagazer
 Top news and commentary for media professionals from all around the web
memeorandum
 What US political commentators are discussing online right now
WeSmirch
 The top celebrity news from all around the web on a single page